JUST a few weeks ago, Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas was knocking about Coober Pedy. Now the locals have been left reeling.

Elizabeth Henson

Sunday Mail (SA)January 23, 20176:48am

AU VIC: Chaos as Car Ploughs Into Pedestrians in Melbourne CBD January 200:14

At least three people were killed and 20 pedestrians hit during a police chase in Melbourne’s centre at about 2pm on Friday, January 20. The Herald Sun reported police chased a man through Bourke St Mall and there were unconfirmed reports of shots fired. “Witnesses have told the Herald Sun at the scene that the car drove along Swanston St, and left into Bourke St Mall where it struck several people.” Police arrested the man following the incident. Credit: Instagram/shalanrp via Storyful

January 20th 2017

a year ago

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JUST weeks ago, Dimitrious “Jimmy” Gargasoulas was knocking about Coober Pedy, telling locals he was keeping busy working on cars at his childhood home on Flinders St.

Seemingly normal, Gargasoulas was often seen hanging out at the Outback Bar and Grill restaurant and the bar at the Desert Cave Hotel during this latest stint in Coober Pedy.

He was last in town with girlfriend Akiir Muo, staying for a few months before leaving late last year.

Gargasoulas is the driver accused in the deadly Melbourne CBD attack on Friday.

Strange cars would often pull up at their home at all hours of the night, stay briefly and then take off.

Vehicles were constantly filling the property. Gargasoulas was even seen driving around town in a limousine last year — no one knows why he had such a car or where it went.

Police presser at Bourke St Mall crime scene2:08

Stuart Bateson of the Victoria Police speaks to the media confirming the deaths of three people and injuries of 20 when a man drove a car through Melbourne's Bourke St Mall. The man was arrested at the scene.

January 20th 2017

a year ago

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The Gargasoulas family home burnt down about 10 years ago. No one was home at the time and the house has not been rebuilt.

Instead, they made a makeshift home out of what appears to be an extended single carport.

The remainder of the property is filled with scrap metal, tyres and vehicles.

A sign has been placed on the fence reading “No stupid people beyond this point”.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said she immediately recognised Gargasoulas on the news when his image was shown on television.

The sign outside the home where Dimitrious ‘Jimmy’ Gargasoulas grew up in Coober Pedy. Picture: Tom HuntleySource:News Corp Australia

Alex Pantelis, 23, grew up with Gargasoulas and said he was shocked by what happened.

“It’s not like Jimmy,” he said. “He’s usually pretty funny.

Mr Pantelis said Gargasoulas “looked fine” when he saw him in Coober Pedy just weeks ago.

“From what I saw, he was pretty normal,” he said.

“(And) from what I knew, I thought he got along with his brother fine.”

Pedestrians were been hit by a car following a police pursuit in Melbourne CBD on January 20. Victoria Police confirmed one person was dead and a number of people were hit near Bourke Street Mall. Witnesses told Storyful police apprehended at least one person and have closed off major streets around the incident. Victoria Police said the situation was contained but advised people to avoid the area. The Age reported that 12 people were injured. A witness named Jesse told Storyful he and his partner had attempted to resuscitate the person who was killed by the vehicle’s impact. “We saw several bodies flying. Literally legs in the air. Then another, then another,” Jesse said. “I went to one woman who was alive and speaking. The next guy had so much internal bleeding, the CPR was just pumping blood out of his mouth. “He had no pulse. The poor guy.” These videos show heavy police presence and emergency services near the scene of the impact. Credit: Twitter/@_mp_d via Storyful

January 20th 2017

a year ago

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Coober Pedy locals insist Gargasoulas is a nice person.

“He was always nice to me,” one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Another says the Gargasoulas children, including Jimmy, were always polite.

“(The kids) were not rude,” she said. “Just ordinary, just like any other kid.”

But, for a small town where everyone knows everyone, locals are still coming to grips with what one of their own allegedly did.